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Special Olympics Research

Report

Translating the Global Special Olympics Movement Into Local Community Change

This study, conducted by anthropologist Patrick Devlieger,
differs from other research into the impact of Special Olympics in
that it examines the cultural context and influence of a country
and how this unique aspect of each Program affects the
implementation of Special Olympics activities and their effect on
athletes, families and others involved in the movement. Instead of
attempting to test a hypothesis, the study strives to explain the
underlying mechanisms used by Special Olympics Programs in four
developing counties in four different continents to succeed across
widely varying geographic, cultural, political and socio-economic
settings.

The countries studied were Namibia, Paraguay, Thailand, and
Uzbekistan. Information for the study was collected through
interviews with approximately 30 people identified as playing a
role in Special Olympics in each of the four countries as well as
visits to relevant Special Olympic events. Interviews and site
visits were recorded for the production of a documentary film.

Results showed that there is wide variety in how Special
Olympics programming is implemented in different countries, but
that each has a positive impact on athletes and others
involved.

Special Olympics breaks through numerous barriers -- between
people with and without intellectual disabilities, between people
from different socioeconomic groups, between public and private
sectors, and international boundaries that divide nations. At the
local level, Special Olympics creates opportunities for people with
intellectual disabilities and families to surpass the boundaries of
their own expectations.

The way Special Olympics is locally embedded varies from country
to country, with one influencing factor being the existence of
other sports activities for people with disabilities. There are
commonalities as well, however. In each country studied, Special
Olympics is both a local and transnational network of human and
non-human actors mutually reinforcing one another.

Implementation of Special Olympics programming requires a good
fit within the local culture, but certain commonalities, such as
the Special Olympics 'brand,' can exist.

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